For most people in the region, the Middle Eastern-style sandal is easily distinguishable.
Although pairs today come in a variety of designs, finishes and colours, there are some elements that remain the same. For a start, they are always open-toe. They usually cover the upper part of the foot, needing no slingback, or strap behind the heel. The end result is sophisticated, and suitable for formal and casual occasions, and traditional and modern attire.
They were seen as an item of necessity in the past, but today they are a statement of style
While the style may be common knowledge, less is known about what led to this signature look. “Traditionally, Arab sandals were made in such a way for various cultural reasons,” says Salem Al Remeithi, founder of luxury UAE sandal brand Albatar.
“Shoes had to be taken off during prayer times, which is five times a day, hence they had to be easy to slip on and slip off. Weather conditions played a huge role in their design as well. Arab sandals were made open-toed because wearing socks and enclosed shoes is not comfortable in hot, humid climates. It’s good to let your feet breathe, especially when there is a lot of walking to do on a regular basis.”
Tracing history
To understand exactly how the Arab sandal came about, it is important to go back in time. Salem Al Mheiri, co-founder of Abu Dhabi store Duca & Das, says back in the day, locals eschewed footwear altogether.
“Most people did not wear shoes because of the sandy environment. In the winter, Bedouins used to wear heavy socks called ‘zarbool’ made of goat or camel hair to keep their feet warm. They used to also make and sell them to people in coastal cities.”
So, how did the concept of the Arab sandal come about? Mohammed Kazim, co-founder of another luxury footwear brand, Tamashee, says that like many things around the world, the sandal got its early influences from other countries and cultures.
“Trade routes played a huge role in how we do things,” he says. “The design for open-toe sandals came from India. However, when they broke down due to wear and tear, they were taken for repairs to [local] craftsmen, who would use little metal rings to stitch them back in place, which lent it that signature look.”
It's what gave way to "naal" – what Al Mheiri describes as all-season footwear that is the most popular style with Emiratis today. "A more modern version of this is the 'naal bu sbaa', where the big toe is separated from other toes with a piece of leather over it, with the rest of the foot covered with a wing-shaped piece of leather. This style remains popular even today."
The evolution
While the style remains more or less the same, in the past few decades the sandal has incorporated numerous changes in terms of materials, stitching and quality. “They were seen as an item of necessity in the past, but today they are a statement of style,” says Al Remeithi. “There is a significant difference in the type and quality of leather used, for instance. However the simplicity of the sandal remains and that is what makes it beautiful.”
The history of the sandal ensures it holds a special place in the hearts (and wardrobes) of many. As Al Remeithi puts it: “They have been a part of my family’s culture well before I was born – something every male member of the family, both young and old, follow to this date. Buying or gifting a brand-new pair of sandals on the occasion of Eid has been a tradition for generations and this is something we look forward to.”
It is this same emotional connection that led him to starting Albatar, which pays tribute to his home country. This year, the brand’s Ramadan collection was inspired by the art and architecture around the UAE – from its landmarks to the desert sand across the seven emirates. It even included an Abu Dhabi sandal, dedicated to Al Remeithi’s home town.
“The sandal is and always will be something very special to me as it preserves our culture and heritage, while giving the discerning local community a fashionable choice of footwear, with new designs and colour palettes to play with.”
A fashionable statement
It is not only local brands that realise the potential marketability of the Arab sandal. In the past few decades, a number of international luxury houses have released their own versions.
In 2013, Italian shoe designer Cesare Paciotti launched a collection specifically curated for the UAE market. Meanwhile, Berluti, a subsidiary brand of LVMH, made headlines in 2017 when it released limited-edition Ramadan sandals, complete with calligraphic motifs. The brand continues to pay tribute to local tradition – it had a Ramadan sandal again this year, the newest addition to its Dubai line. Other international brands that have jumped on to the bandwagon over the years are Tod’s, Givenchy and Loro Piana.
“For every international brand, it is important to adapt and cater to the local population,” says Satish Patil, senior brand manager at Steve Madden, which has been creating collections for the holy month since 2013.
“In this region, Arab sandals and slippers are still the preferred footwear among Arab nationals and therefore we sell them all year round. It is essential that we create styles and designs keeping in mind local cultures, tastes and preferences.”
Clearly what was once a necessity has now transformed into a fashion statement. Kazim says customers in the region are getting bolder and trendier, and are more willing to experiment with accessories. “Since a lot of our customers wear traditional attire, they stand out using accessories like footwear,” he says. It’s the reason why Tamashee’s creations are available in a number of bold hues and designs.
Kazim, who hails from Dubai, decided to leave his steady job in 2013, to join forces with friend Muneera Al Tamimi to launch the brand. The idea at that time was to create footwear that paid tribute to the Arabian Peninsula, with three main goals in mind – to preserve identity, represent culture and leave a positive impact.
“At that time, both of us [who have spent a portion of our lives abroad] felt this gap in our identity. Meanwhile, there was so much negative media coverage in the region – we realised there was so much good that was not being discussed. We wanted a way to showcase the beautiful things we have here,” he says.
Every Tamashee collection aims to shed light on a different aspect of the region, with its most recent line inspired by the archaeology and inscriptions found in the peninsula.
When asked why preserving tradition is such an important part of the brand’s ethos, Kazim says: “With globalisation, we are all moving in a way that is converging towards one identity. It’s important to differentiate, especially to have a competitive advantage. When you stay true to your history, it helps you stand out in a positive way.”
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Bahrain%20GP
%3Cp%3EFriday%20qualifying%3A%207pm%20(8pm%20UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ESaturday%20race%3A%207pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETV%3A%20BeIN%20Sports%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Six tips to secure your smart home
Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.
Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Racecard
6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)
Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)
Ponti
Sharlene Teo, Pan Macmillan
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
Company%20profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Honeymoonish
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Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
The%20Little%20Mermaid%20
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
